Goodwin has it going in Arkansas
This time of year, schools normally are scrambling for seniors to sign during the spring. But some underclassmen are just too good to ignore.
Amid a huge junior campaign, five-star Archie Goodwin is making major college programs put aside 2011 concerns and watch him.
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So far this season at Sylvan Hills in Little Rock, Ark., the 6-foot-4 junior, who is mostly being recruited as a combo guard, has been putting up 33 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per night.
Tuesday night, he took it another level as Kansas head coach Bill Self and a Connecticut assistant watched him go for 51, 10 and five in a win.
"I think I've been playing pretty good," Goodwin told Rivals.com. "I think I've stepped up my game from last season and I've continued to get better as I try to lead my team to a state championship."
Ranked No. 18 nationally in the 2012 Rivals150, Goodwin has noticed the increased attention in his game, but he doesn't feel as if he's changed at all.
"Basically I feel like the same guy," Goodwin said. "But, I know that I'm going out for each game with a chip on my shoulder. I'm going to get each team's best game each night and I'm not going to slack and continue to work."
Long, lean and athletic, Goodwin excels attacking off the dribble. He combines an explosive first step with the ability to change directions quickly and a non-stop motor. His jumper is one that must be respected by defenders and he's getting better.
"I think that I can outwork my opponent," said Goodwin of the way he wears down defenders. "When I get it going I can score anything I throw up there. I can do everything pretty decent. But when I'm really going I can shoot from deep, get and-ones and shoot free throws."
He's far from cocky, but Goodwin is confident.
"When I get it rollin', I think it can be a rough night for my defender," he said. "Any good player has to have confidence."
This summer Goodwin will run with the Arkansas Wings and he'll be at all the major camps. Odds are, coaches will be following his every step. Along with Self at Kansas, he's had interest from Kentucky coach John Calipari, North Carolina coach Roy Williams and Missouri coach Mike Anderson. Others included in the mix are Connecticut, Arkansas, Tennessee, Baylor, Georgetown, Louisville and Marquette.
For now, Goodwin is in no rush.
"I'm going to take my time with it and see what's out there," said Goodwin. "When I feel comfortable and feel I have the right spot, then I'm going to make my decision."